I have to admit; I've lived a comfortable life. Oh sure, there have been times when things weren't rosy and I would have liked to crawl into a hole but most of the time, even during those early years growing up when we had very little, I must confess, I've done pretty well in the "lack of suffering" department.
However, for several days now, I have been burdened with the suffering of others. There are several families in our church who are going through very difficult times! They have been out of work, some are in the process of losing their homes and yet others have made the choice simply to move to a less expensive place hoping to find a better life. Which to me seems a bit silly but I understand why. To move to a place where there are more affordable housing, good schools, plenty of jobs and secure neighborhoods your choices are pretty limited. Which makes me think, "what if I didn't grow up in California, live in the freedom of the United States and benefit from a civilized culture providing roads, sewers, utilities, not to mention, rapid communication and travel devices?" Let me ask you... What if you did? Can you dig it? You too are dong just fine in the "lack of suffering" department!
All too often our world is defined simply by those people and things around us. We hear about people in foreign places who suffer and by definition I mean those who truly suffer (have no clean water, eat perhaps but one meal per day, have no access to medical care, are subjected to the elements and exposed to pestilence, disease and thuggery) but we don't really understand suffering. Not because we are ignorant, we are fairly intelligent folks around here, but we don't really understand it because we've never really experienced it! Now, without opening the Knowledge vs. Experience can of worms let me just say, knowledge can never lead you to an experience. it can help you have a better experience but never give you one. On-the-other-hand, experience does give you knowledge, albeit limited based simply by what you experienced! So, with that said; if you suffer, you have better, more accurate knowledge!
Why then am I burdened with all this suffering if I'm not experiencing it myself? Hmmmph! I wish I knew. But we are told, as part of the body of Christ to share in the suffering of our brothers (1Cor.12:25,26); is this it? Perhaps. But maybe I'm becoming more mature in my faith as a follower of Jesus. How do I know this? I'm becoming more and more convinced as I read more and more of His Word that suffering is evidence of my faith!
For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21
... It is tests, strengthens and perfects my faith!
Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. James 1:2-4
... and it validates and empowers my faith!
So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 1 Peter 4:12,13
Why then is it a problem for us to embrace suffering? To normalize and dare I say, expect it? There are places around the planet where suffering is the way of life... there are Christians, who in the face of persecution, find great joy, do incredible good and consider it a privilege to suffer for Christ! I have my opinions but what are yours?
Perhaps the one thing that changes everything... is location.
